BLYTH Spartans' mini-revival came to an end against Corby Town – in respect of the result at least.
But Spartans boss Tommy Cassidy believes that if his side can combine the good elements they have demonstrated in this game, and previous draws against Boston and Nuneaton, and eliminate the naivety, they might yet get out of trouble.
As it is, the Croft Park club remain second-bottom of Blue Square Bet North after goals by Mark Jones and Sam Mallarkey were enough to outdo Max Harrop’s first for Blyth, a stunning strike from 30 yards.
Cassidy knows that he faces a stern task to haul his team out of the relegation zone.
But while disappointed by defeat in a game he believes Blyth should not have lost, he has not given up all hope just yet.
“It’s another game that we shouldn’t have lost, but how many times are we going to keep saying that?” Cassidy said afterwards.
“We went a goal down but even then it had been fifty-fifty. Then we got one back and I thought there’s only going to be one winner. We were playing really well. But then we got a throw-in down in their corner, and our centre-forward threw it straight to their players, they went straight up the other end and it’s 2-1.
“It was just naive, but that sort of thing is costing us. They switched off for 20 seconds, but there’s no point b********g them.
“We didn’t play as well as we have done in the last two games, but Corby weren’t any better than us.
“Someone said to me afterwards that if you didn’t already know, then you wouldn’t be able to say which team was which.
“That’s what makes it so frustrating. If teams play well and deserve to beat us, I’ll be the first to hold my hands up and admit it. But we’re giving goals away, no one’s scored a good goal against us yet.
“Then at the other end we’re wasting chances, so it’s very disappointing.
“We need points but we’re not getting them, and if we don’t we’re going to be relegated.
“But if we can just put the best parts of the last three games together, we’ll have a chance.”
STEVE BROWN
BLYTH SPARTANS: Birdsall, Groves (Slaughter 69), Cave, Hooks, Buchanan, Mellish, Harrop, Utterson, Armstrong (Mole 69), Taylor, Phillips. Subs (not used): Hodgson, Richardson, Hunter. Goal: Harrop 59.
CORBY: MacKenzie, Gordon, Mark Jones, Malone, Gulliver, Ozmen (Farden 78), Hall (Bexford 91), Towers, Jordan Smith, Mullarkey, Paul Mayo, Paul Mayo. Subs (not used): McDonald, Richard Jones.
Booked: Ozmen.
Goals: Mark Jones 45, Mullarkey 83.
Att: 305.
